Lava Hot Springs

Although not in Utah, Lava Hot Springs is one of my favorite destinations to visit year-around. The town of Lava offers many year-around activities and fun for the whole family. The Lava Hot Spring Vacation Resort offers five outdoor pools for soaking. The natural hot springs feed the pools with 2.5 million gallons of water per day, keeping the pools fresh, clean and ever changing. The water is laden with minerals, but has no sulfur and therefore no bad odor. Temperatures range from 102 degrees to 112 degrees.The resort offers modern facilities, clean dressing rooms, and the floors are even heated so your feet never get cold even on the coldest of nights.

Visitors to Lava can also visit the Olympic Swimming Complex. The complex offers an indoor aquatic center that is open year-around. Open in the summer months is the outside Olympic Pool and four water slides. Another very popular summer time activity is tubing down the Portneuf River. There are several locations to launch and get out along the town. Tube rentals are available at several merchants.

Each February Lava hosts the annnual Fire and Ice Winterfest Festival. If you're brave and think you can handle the freezing cold water of Portneuf River, attend this annual festival and take part in the Polar Bear Float. Participants race each other in the freezing cold water hoping for the fastest time or the most original-costume prize. Other activities include the Running of the Bulls Event, Frisbee Disc Golf, Chili Tasting, Kids Mini Carnival, Snow Tubing, and much more.

Accommodations:

The town offers many hotels all within walking distance of the famous springs and other activities. Most hotels even offer private tubs and pools for soaking. For those that enjoy pulling or traveling in a RV, Lava offers several campgrounds that will accommodate any size RV. Food options in town range from fine dining to burgers, fries and pizza.

Location:

Lava is a just 2 hours and 30 minutes North of Salt Lake City. Lava Hot Springs, Idaho is centrally located between Salt Lake City, Utah and Yellowstone National Park.